LM May 2023

Rebuilding efforts will eventually include celebrating successfully dealing with nature’s adversity. Recognizing that there is a mutually symbiotic relationship between school and community, develop a plan to celebrate successful recovery. For example, honor first responders and volunteers. Have media students assemble a video, set to music, which shows before the disaster, the immediate aftermath, and during and after rebuilding. Further documenting the celebrations and reactions can be used for positive public relations for school and community. Consider promoting these efforts in the media and writing a Governor’s Hometown Award application in recognition of Herculean efforts as a school and a community. Through every step of the process, all school leaders should take care of their own health and that of their families during the incredibly trying time following a natural disaster. Consider reaching out to a network of colleagues for both professional input and for mental health. Superintendents are a proud group of professionals; most have a hard time reaching out for help, personally or professionally. We need to emphasize to our colleagues in education that long-term planning is critical for the success of the district and the community following significant events. Likewise, we need to lean on each other during times of crisis and realize we have a network of folks to rely on. I certainly do not purport to be an expert on recovery from natural disasters, but I do realize that our professional development is woefully inadequate relative to events of this magnitude and its respective recovery effort. We are not alone at the top, and we can make strides to assist our superintendents and administrators to, not only survive epic events, but thrive in the process.

Step 5—Rebuilding 3 months to 3 years

As recovery continues, long-term rebuilding efforts will also be underway. Important long-term questions for school leaders include: • What will be the effect of the loss of property on the district’s assessed valuation and for how long? • How will enrollment be affected if there is inadequate housing for affected individuals? • What ramifications might there be, relative to the IHSA participation, for students living outside of the district for an extended period of time? • What is the projected loss of population and enrollment, due to businesses that have been shuttered resulting in the loss of jobs? • How does the district intend to handle residency issues the year after the disaster (assuming students finish the school year in which the disaster happened) when houses are not complete? • Is there a possibility that TIF dollars may be used in rebuilding efforts? If so, what effects will that have on district revenue? Can the district negotiate a term shorter than the traditional 23 years? • How will the building season be a factor? Disasters in spring and summer provide for a lengthier building season. Disasters occurring in the fall could mean an extra year of redevelopment. • Is the district eligible for FEMA dollars? If so, does the district have adequate documentation to support the application?

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LM May 2023